Sri Lanka Assured of Saudi Support in Serving Expats

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka remain strong and the Kingdom has always stood by Sri Lanka in times of need, Muhammad A. Tayeb, director general at the Foreign Ministry’s Office for Makkah Region, said here on Monday night.
“The Saudi Fund for Development recently granted SR40 million to construct a 400-meter-long bridge in Sri Lanka’ Eastern Province town of Kinniya,” he said speaking as the chief guest at the island state’s national day reception for diplomats, officials and businessmen hosted by Sri Lankan Consul General Abdul Latiff Mohamed Lafeer.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will extend all support to the consulate in its endeavor to serve the community,” Tayeb said. “We will work together to enhance further the relationship between the two countries,” he said.
The consul general said that Sri Lanka had made tremendous progress and no longer figured among the least developing countries in the region. “Its per capita income and exports are on the rise. Its imports exceeding $1 billion reflect its economic growth,” he said.
In the international arena, the island maintains and enjoys cordial relations with the global community guided by the principles of nonalignment, he added.
Lafeer said around 550,000 Sri Lankan expatriates lived and worked in the Kingdom and they were among the most law-abiding community. He exhorted the community to be the island’s goodwill ambassadors. A traditional dance was among the cultural programs presented by Sri Lanka International School children.